Olmert approves arms shipment to boost Abbas

LONDON, June 13 (Reuters) Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert today said he had approved a shipment of weapons and ammunition to bolster security forces loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Israel announced its decision amid an increasingly violent power struggle between Abbas and Hamas Islamists, who took control of the Palestinian Authority in March after winning a parliamentary election.

Speaking to member of the British Parliament before ending a visit to London, Olmert said: ''Despite the tension and the firing of rockets (at Israel), I authorised last night the transfer of arms and ammunition to Abu Mazen,'' he said, referring to Abbas by his nom de guerre.

Israeli officials had feared that weapons could fall into the hands of militants, who have stepped up rocket attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip.

Olmert said he had approved the transfer ''to strengthen the presidential guard so he (Abbas) can strengthen the forces against Hamas''.

''I did this because we are running out of time and we need to help Abu Mazen,'' Olmert added, without providing further details about the weapons and ammunition.

Palestinian officials and Western diplomats have said Egypt and Jordan would provide weapons, ammunition and training for Abbas's presidential guard.

Western powers want to ensure that Abbas emerges victorious in any power struggle with Hamas, which is formally committed to destroying Israel rather than creating a state alongside it.

Abbas's presidential guard has taken control of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt in a challenge to Hamas's authority, and Abbas has proposed expanding the size of the force.

Olmert was in London to lobby British Prime Minister Tony Blair to back his West Bank redeployment plan and seek a strong European stand against the Hamas-led Palestinian government. He meets French President Jacques Chirac in Paris today.

Reuters SY GC2130